Brake with drive release



Nov. 28, 1950 E. D-*AL 2,531,970

BRAKE WITH DRIVE RELEASE Filed Nov. 15, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 14 f7? 1b11 g fel/f f7 2516 gi I,

ATTORNEY Nov. 28, 1950 E. c. DEAL BRAKE WITH DRvE RELEASE 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed Nov. l5, 1946 f/,w 107) 10i INVENTOR 61 Lfmsm al ATTORNEYPatented Nov. 28,y 95' BRAKE WITH DRIVE RELEASE Erastus C. Deal, Rye, N.

Slide-Lock Devices, Inc.

corporation of New York Y., vassigner to Deal New York, N. Y., a

Application November l5, 1946, Serial No. 710,213

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to locking devices and more particularlyto a slidable locking device adapted to retain a particular setting orposition of the machine or part with which it is connected.

With many machines, structures or devices, it 5 is either necessary ordesirable that a part be retainable in one of a number of settings orpositions and yet that the machine, structure or device be readilyadjustable t0 diiTerent settings or positions. For example, in pivotedcontrols, such l0 as throttles, switches, levers and brakes, it isdesirable to prevent or minimize accidental displacement of a givensetting and yet to maintain the control rod in readily adjustableposition; again, in connection with an outboard motor it is Yl5desirable that the motor be readily movable by means of the tiller orhandle but that it automatically lock into position when the hand isremoved from the tiller to thereby resist vibration of the motor andmotion of the water and; 20 thus maintain the motor in fixed position.`A still further example of structures wherein the present device isdesirable is in connection with furniture or telescopic stands such thatthe article of furniture or stand automatically unlocks;;;25 to permitany desired adjustment and yet automatically locks when the adjustmentis completed, The foregoing are merely illustrative examples of placeswhere the present lock may be utilized. The present invention aims toprovidegp, a relatively simple and inexpensive adjustable or slidablelock adapted to be used to perform the above tasks.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedslide lock.

Another object of the invention. is to provide a new and improved slidelock having relatively few moving parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a slide lock adapted toprovide a more uniform dis-.540

tribution of locking pressures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved slidelock which is readily adaptable to circular or arcuate form.

A further object of the invention is to provide45 a lock having animproved releasing or adjusting mechanism. f j

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon anunderstanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, orwill be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages notVreferred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employmentof the invention in practice. A', preferred embodiment of the inventionhas 55 (ci. 19a-s) been chosen for purposes of illustration anddescription and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthe speciiication, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, illustrating a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an exploded View of another form of the invention;

Fig 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an additional form of theinvention;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional View, partly broken away, showing theslide lock of Fig. 4 assembled with a guideway;

Fig. '6 is a plan view, partly broken away, illustrating another form ofthe invention;

Fig. 7 is a plan View illustrating an. arcuate form of the invention; y

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken along the line 8 8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a plan View illustrating a form of the invention similar tothat shown in Figs. '7 and 8; and

Fig. 10 is a plan View illustrating a modied form of the presentinvention.

Referring again to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2thereof, there is shown an adjustable slide lock embodied in a guidewayor channel member l. The guideway l is adapted to be secured by anysuitable means, for example by screws through apertures l, to anyconvenient part of the structure of mechanism to be controlled by theslide lock and the guideway may be of any suitable length, dependingupon the desired limits of movement. The slide lock illustrated in thesetwo iigures comprises holding vor locking members 2 and 3 having arelatively close but slidable t at their outer sides 5 and thereof withupstanding wall portions 8 and 9 of the` channel member l; the lockingmembers are preferably of such width that they slide freely within thechannel member l upon assembly and during adjustment of the lock.

The inner end of each the slidable members 2 and 3 is shown providedwith an inclined or wedging surface l!) and inwardly extending retainerprojections Il. The inclined surfaces Hl of the slidable holding membersare adapted to receive between them a ball, roller or other spreadermember I3, this member being retained in operative position at all timesbythe inwardly extending retainer projections Il. As either one of theslidable members 2 and 3 is 'pushed or urged inwardly with respect tothe other, the intermediate spreader member I3 positioned between theinclined faces of the slidable members tends to move along the inclinedsurfaces toward the high points of the inclines in such manner as topress the slidable members 2 and 3 outwardly into contact with theupstanding wall portions 3 and 9 of the channel or guideway I; thegreater the force or pressure with which one slidable member is urgedtoward the other, the more rmly or securely will the two holding members2 and 3 be locked or engaged with the wall portions of the guideway I.

As either of the slidable holding members 2 or 3 is pulled outwardly, orin a direction away' from the other slidable member, the ball, roller orother type of spreader member- I3 tends to move toward the low points orareas of the inclined surfaces on the slidable holding members 2 and 3and thus these-members are unlocked or freed from gripping engagementwith the walls or the guideway or channel I. Inward or pushing pressuretends to lock the mechanism in position, and outward or pulling pressureon either of the slidable members tends to unlock the device andfacilitate its movement to a new position with respect to the guidewayI..

While the locking action may ber performed satisfactorily with themechanism and parts above described, it is preferable that the slidableholding members 2 and 3 be resiliently or slidably urged toward eachother at all timesV tor thereby facilitate retention of' the lock at anyposition within the guideway in which it may be placed. In theembodiment disclosed in Figs. l and 2, the slidable holding members orwedges 2 and' 3 are shown urged toward each other by springs I4 locatedwithin sockets or recesses I6 of the holding members, the springs beinginterconnected with each other by a substantiallyl U-shaped; link memberIl having tab portions I9 extending into the recesses I and over theends of the springs I. Interconnecting the springs of the holdingmembers in this manner causes the ball, rolleror other spreader memberI3 to at all times urge the holding members 2 and 3l outwardly intoengagement with the walls of the guideway.

The sizes or strengths of the springs I4 utilized for urging the wedgemembers toward each other will depend upon the size and weight ofthefwedge members which will in turn be inuenced by the particularmechanism or structure with` which the lock is to be used. A relativelylight or weak spring is generally sufficient tourge' the wedge membersoutwardly into engagementA with the side walls of the channel.

While the lock may be connected in anyv desired manner with the part tobe controlled and with an operating handle or lever, one form ofachieving this is shown in Figs. l and 2; As shown, the part to becontrolled is preferably connected with an extension of the wedge orholding member 2; when the normal tendency of the part being controlledis to urge the extension 2s and thewedge member 2` toward thecomplementary wedge member 3, the eectis to lock the device firmly intoposition against.` undesirable movements. A new setting may be readilymade by means of the saddle, or. plate member1 a2 shown extending aroundthe exterior of the lock and having elongated aperturesY or slotsv 23fitting around' pins orv bolts- 25 secured to the holding members 2.and.; as the: extension 2li of the saddle or plate memberv 22 is moved'towardI the, left. or: right. they inwardly Vdisposed edges of theapertures or slots press against adjacent portions of the pins 25 andare thus effective to pull a holding member toward the left or theright, depending upon the direction in which the extension 24 is moved.The pulling action of the saddle upon either of the holding members orwedges tends to move the spreader member I3 toward the low points of theinclined surfaces on the wedge members 2 and 3 and to thus free thewedge surfaces from engagement with the side walls of the guideway. Asthe extension 24y is released, the springs I4 and interconnecting linkmember I 1 move the holding members 2Y and 3 toward each other and thespreader member I3 presses them outwardly into engagement with the sidewalls, to thereby instantaneously secure the new setting or adjustment.

In Fig. 3 the ball, roller, or other spreader member i3d is illustratedretained in position by a. substantially flat cover member 28,. theaside edges of which project outwardly beneathy thev inwardly extendinganges 28 olfA the guideway. Ia. The spreader member I3aY is. thusmaintained. in position within the recess formed. at. the ends oi thewedge members 2a and 3a. The lockillustratedV in this gure may be pulledalong the guideway'ineither direction and is adaptedv to immediatelylock into position upon application of inwardly directed pushing.pressure. against either of the wedge or holdingA members 20,. or 3a.

In Figs. 4' and 5, the slide lock is shown embodied in another form ofthe invention.. In; this form three wedging or hold-ing members. 30;.731and 32. are utilized having complementary.' irrclined surfacesV adjacentthe ends thereof; The inclined or wedging surface 34 of theY rightholding member 3G is'adapted to co-operate. with' an inclined or'wedgingsurface 35 of thefinner hold'- ing member 3land intermediate spreaderrmember 33; the-inclined surface' 351: of theleft holding member 32isadapted to co-operate with a complementary wedging surface 38 at theopposite side of the inner holding member 3i and'. with anYintermediaterollenball, or spreader member 40. As eitherof the outwardlydisposed' holding members 33 ork 32 is pressed toward the inner holdingmember 3l, the eiect is to causey lateral or transverse movement of theholding member into engagement with the wallsof a guideway or channelmember- The innerfholding member 3| locks the d'evicc securely inposition regardless of the direction in which it tends tov move: atendency to move the inner holding member 3|. toward the right causesthe lock to tighten with the guid'cway walls', and a. tendency-"tomovethis same member 3l toward the left likewise causes the lock' totighten iirmly into engagement with the' guideway walls: The'wedging or`holding members 3U, 3I and 32 may be resiliently or yieldably urgedtoward each other and into engagement with the walls of aguideway bysprings 4I retained within recesses 1831 andi 44 of the right andleftholding members 3UV and 32, respectively, by abutting portions 451andv 45 of'a control member-4T.

The locked, controlled or driven memberD of a particularv mechanism ispreferably connected with the intermediate-wedge 3l of the slide lockshown' in Figs. 4 and 5 so thatl regardless of direction in which ittends to move the setting will be retained. An extension 39' of thecontrolled member may be connected with a saddle or cover 5B having aprojection 521tting' intok a recess 53 orf the innerholding# member 31Controlling or adjustment of the lock may be achieved by connecting thecontrol rod 55 with the control member 41, which has projections or pins56 fitting into elongated apertures or slots 51 and 58 of the right andleft Wedge members 35 and 32, respectively. The pins B are preferablynormally positioned in the vicinity of but slightly outwardly of themid-portion of the lengths of the slots and are adapted to be moved intocontact with the outer ends of the slots 57 and 58; upon movement of thecontrolrod 55 toward the left or right the action will be to pull thewedge 32 to the left or the wedge 39 to the right, as the case maybe. Ifa following wedge should tend to stick in position the pin 56 in itsslot may subsequently contact an inner wall of the slot and free it witha positive action. Thus the slide lock may be moved in either directionupon movement of the control rod 55, and yet the connecting rod 49 ismaintained in position as long as the control rod 55 is not actuated.

In Fig. 6 ,there is illustrated a form of the invention in which each ofthe inclined surfaces of holding members 39a and 31a is of relativelygreat length and intermediate each of the complementary inclinedsurfaces are positioned a plurality of rollers, balls or other spreadermembers 5l. The wedge or holding members 30a, Sla and 32a of thismodified form of the invention operate similarly to those described inconnection with Figs. 4 and 5 but the plurality of spreader members andrelatively great lengths of inclined surfaces tend to distribute thegripping or holding effect over a comparatively great length of surface,and hence to provide a greater and more secure frictional engagement orlocking together of the parts.

In Figs. 7 and 8, the present slide lock is shown embodied in a circularor arcuate form. The side edges or surfaces of the wedge or holdingmembers 55, 55 and 6l' are of curved or arcuate shape and are shownfitted into a circular or arcuate groove 58 of a plate member 59. Theholding members 65, 66 `and 61 are provided with inclined surfaces andspreader members similar to those described in connection with Figs. 4and 5. As either of the holding members v55 or 61 is pulled in adirection away from the inner holding member 55, the lock may travelfreely within the pathor groove 68; as either of the outwardly disposedholding members 65 or 5I is pressed toward the inner holding member 55,the lock immediately engages securely into position. A tendency to movethe inner holding member 56 in either direction tightens the devicefirmly into position.

A member or shaft 1I to be controlled by means of the slide lock isshown extending through an aperture 13 of the plate member l0 andsecured by a set screw 14 to a plate member '15, which is in turnfastened by a screw 'i6 to the center wedging member 66. Any forcetending to rotate the member 'H is carried through the set screw 14,plate member 75 and screw 'i6 to the center wedging member 66 and servesto engage the lock more firmly in its set position.

A new setting may be readily established by rotating the knob or settingdial 'i8 which is connected with the outwardly disposed holding members65 and Si by pins 89 and 8l. As the knob 18 is turned in clockwisedirection, the pin 80 presses against an outer edge of a slot 82 (Fig.7) and tends to pull thevholding member 55 around in the path 5B to thuspermit a new setting of the shaft 7l. As the knob is turned A in acounterclockwise direction, the pin 8l presses against the outer edge ofthe slot or aperture 83 and likewise facilitates adjustment of the shaftil to a new setting. A spring 84 fitted over projections 85 of theholding members 65 and 5l tends to normally maintain the slide lock inengaged position with the upstanding Walls of the groove or recess 58.This rotary form of lock may be secured in operating position upon aninstrument panel or other base 86.

In some instances it may be desired to provide an unusually strong lockeffect, and in Fig. 9 there is illustrated, more or lessdiagrammatically, one form of slide lock for achieving this purpose. Atthe upper part of this gure there is shown a slide lock comprising acentral holding member 9d adapted to co-operate with right and leftholding members 9| and 92, respectively, in a manner similar to thatdescribed in connection with Figs. 7 and 8; that is, the structuredisclosed in Fig. 9 is shown adapted to travel in a curved path. TheVlower part of Fig. 9 is similar to that described at the upper part ofthis figure. The machine, mechanism or part to be retained rmly inposition may be connected with the upper and lower inner or centerholding members 963 and 99a by pins 95 and 95a. As the controlled orlocked part tends to move, there is effected secure engagement of thewedge or holding members with the Walls of a channel or groove (notshown) due to the action of the complementary inclined surfaces andintermediate spreader members.

In this modillcation, the strong locking effect may be enhanced byutilizing strong springs 95 for forcing the various holding members intoengagement with the walls of the channel. Since the springs are quitestrong they are shown substantially straight, instead of curved as inFig. 7, and retained in position by sockets or apertures 9? into whichtheir ends extend. The very strong normal locking effect of thesesprings may be overcome during adjustment to a new setting by providingrelease pins 98 intermediate the ends of f the locking wedges havingcamming surfaces 99 spread the holding members and unlock the mechanismfor movement to a new setting.

In Fig. l0 the inclined or wedging surfaces of an adjustable lock areshown so disposed with respect to each other as to provide a locking orengaging action with the side Walls of the channel upon outward orpulling movement and to achieve release or unlocking of the slide lockupon pushing one ofk the holding members toward the other; that is, theaction is opposite to that hereinabove described. In this form of theinvention pulling outwardly on one 'of the holding members i515 causesthe spreader member to force the inclined surfaces apart and effecttransverseA movement of the holding members Mld and E55 into engagementwith the walls of the guideway. As the holding members are pushed towardeach other, the spreader member 95 moves to- Ward the open or lowportions of the inclined surfaces andthe slide lock may be movedlongitudinally along the guideway; Suitable springs 'a' scf-.11,970

7 or yieldable meansim proiestir-1g` intol recesses w8. may be used tospread the holding. members lilfl and H and hold the lock in adjustedposition within a guideway'. Likewise suitable controlledand-controlling members similar to those described in connectiony withthe preferred embodiment may be associated with the sliding or wedgingmembers to obtain desired locking and unlocking actions.

It will be seen that theV present inventionl provides` a new andimproved slide lock having a minimum number of rugged parts. The slidelock of the present invention is' adapted to securely and rml-yv retaina mechanism, structure or device in adjusted position and yet to permitinstantaneous movement thereof to anew setting. The present slidelock isreadily adaptable` to use with instruments, mechanisms or devices whichoperate along av curved path or with a rotary movement.

As various changes may be made inthe form, construction and arrangementof the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention and Without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to beunderstood that all matter herein is tobe interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention', I claim:

l. In a device ofthe class described, the combination of a channel-likeguideway having spaced arcuatey side walls, a first member ofsubstantially arcuate shape in said guideway having locking surfacesadjacent opposite'ends thereof, additional members of substantiallyarcuate shape in said guidevvay each having a locking surface'adjacentan end thereof adapted to co-operate with said first mentioned lockingsurfaces, spreader members such as rollers intermediate saidco-operating locking surfaces adapted to effect secure engagement ofsaid first mentioned member with one of said arcuate side Walls and ofsaid additional locking members with another of said arcuate side walls,and means for' selectively positioning said members with respectV to theguideway;

2. In a device of the class described, the com'- bination of alongitudinally curved guidevvay including spaced longitudinally curvedsideV Walls, a member provided with a longitudinally curved side walland having locking surfaces at' opposite ends thereof disposed towardopposite ends of said' guideway, additional members each provided with alongitudinally curved side Wall and each having a body portionsubstantially filling the space between said side walls and each havinga locking surface adapted to co-operate with one of said iirst mentionedlocking surfaces, spreader members intermediate said co-opera-tingVlocking surfacesadapted to spread said members and effect secureengagement of each of the locking surface members with a wall of theguideway, means intermediate the ends of said additional membersnormally urging said` members into engagement Withthe guideway, andmeans for selectively positioning said members with respect to theguideway.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a guidewayincluding a pair of spaced arcuate generally parallel guiding walls, amember of substantially arcuate form in said guidefay hawlnf-f lockingsurfaces' adjacent opposite ends thereof facing toward. one of saidarcuate guiding walls, additional members of substantially arcuate formeach having a locking surface adjacent oneend thereof. facing towardther-lockadapted to Co-operate withV the locking surfaces of said rstmentioned member, movableI spreader' members intermediate saidco-operating locking surfaces adapted to effect'- secure engagement ofthe locking members' with thearcuate guiding Walls of the guideway',means intermediate the ends ofsaid additional members normally urging'said members toward saidfirst mentioned member and' intoengagement withthe arcuate guiding walls of the guideway, and means for selectivelypositioning said' members with respect to the guideway.

4i. In adevice of thel class described; thecomlbination of a`guideway'having'spaced' side walls, longitudinally spaced lockingmembers` having locking surfaces at inwardly disposed portions thereofeachV facing toward the same side wall and having portions'substantially filling the space between' said side` walls, anintermediate locking member havingl a plurality of locking' surfaceseach facing toward an opposite side wall than and adapted* to complementthe locking surfaces' of said' first' mentioned locking'members,spreader members intermediate said' comple'- mentary'loclring surfacesadapted' to effect. separation of said members and locking of' said'intermediate locking member with one side wall ofthe guidevvay and,ysaid' spaced locking members with an opposite sid'e Wall of theguideway, and means' adapted toV be used to selectively position thelocking members with respect to the guide- Way;

5. In a device of, the class described, the combination of aguideway'having spaced' side walls, longitudinally spaced' lockingmembers having locking surfaces. at inwardly disposed portions thereofeach facing toward' thev same side wall and having portionssubstantially filling the space between said" side walls, anintermediate locking, member having a plurality of locking surfaces eachfacingv toward an opposite side Wall than and adapted to complement thelocking surfaces. of' said 'first mentioned locking members, spreadermembers intermediate said complementary locking surfaces adapted toeffect separation of said` members and locking of said intermediatelocking member with one side wall of the guideway and said' spacedlocking members with an opposite side Wall of the guideway, andyiel'dable means pressing against outwardly disposed end portions ofsaidV spaced locking mem.- bers urgingY them toward. said intermediatelocking memb'erf and'v into' locking relationship" with the guideway,and means adapted to be used to selectively position the locking memberswith' respect'to the guideway.

6; A device as claimed in' claim 4' in which a plurality'of spreadermembersA is provided inter'- mediate each set of complementary lockingsurfaces.

7'. A device' as claimed in' claim 4 in which a plurality of spreadermembers is provided intermediate' each set of complementary lockingsurfaces a-nd longitudinally spaced with respect to the guideway;

8; A device as claimed inclaim-4- in which the means for selectivelypositioning the locking members includes cam-lilie-- meansA having aAportion located intermediate portions of said locking members adaptedtov facilitate movement of said locking members suchas-l to release themfrom gripping engagement with guideway Walls.

9. A device :as-claimed in claim- 4 in whichy said spaced side walls: ofthe guideway are of arcuate shape radially spaced apart and stationarywith respect to each other, said locking members are of generallyarcuate shape, and the means for selectively positioning the lockingmembers includes cam means between portions of the intermediate lockingmember and a, portion of each of the spaced locking members.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of a guideway,holding members in generally end-to-end relationship in said guideway' OY holding members providing a plurality of selective contacts forselectively moving the holding members with said operating member as aunit along the guideway.

ERASTUS C. DEAL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,103,839 Re11ay` July 14, 19141,259,972 Fertig et al. Mar. 19, 1918 1,472,854 Schneider Nov. 6, 19231,764,937 Bonal June 17, 1930 2,364,715 Horton Dec. 12, 1944 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 369,960 France Jan. 25, 1907 '7,349 FranceJuly 6, 1907 (2nd addition to No. 345,880)

